Silver Lake Annexation Begins

SILVER LAKE - The long-anticipated annexation of residences around the lake area began Thursday with approval of an annexation petition and adoption of a fiscal plan pertaining to the petition. About 247 properties will be annexed next year, doubling the size of the town.The homes extend around Silver Lake to the end of Roosevelt and Edgewater streets and along Neher Road to the west. Residents within the affected area will be notified by Jan.5, according to town council members Donna McCune, Gail Owens and Brenda Wadkins.A public hearing was set for March 15 at 7 p.m.in the town hall. The meeting location is subject to change as the town hall may not hold all interested parties. Within a year of the proposed annexation, non-capital services will be provided to the area.These services include police protection, snow removal and trash removal.

Commissioners Again Deny Request For Subdivision Plat

If at first you don't succeed - try, try again. For the second month in a row, attorney Steve Snyder presented a petition Wednesday before the Kosciusko County Area Plan commission for a preliminary plat for Cherry Creek Estates Subdivision on behalf of 1st Source Bank, with some changes. And for the second month in a row, the plan commission denied the petition. The residential development is on 20.176 acres on the east side of Packerton Road in Wayne Township.In November, the planners denied the petition because of lack of interior roads for the six-lot subdivision.That plat had four accesses to the development.The planners also said they'd like to see more density in the development. The plat before the plan commission Wednesday had only three accesses to the six lots.But that still was one too many for the plan commission.

Dewart Lake Resident Gets 2nd Liver Transplant

DEWART LAKE - Aarron Busch, 46, Dewart Lake, underwent his second liver transplant Wednesday at Indiana University Medical Center, Indianapolis.Doctors foresee him going home for the holidays. Busch was in critical condition at the Indiana University Medical Center intensive care unit after undergoing liver transplant surgery in July. At that time, his sister, Becky Tusing, 41, also of Dewart Lake, was listed in fair condition at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis after donating 60 percent of her liver to Aarron. It was only the second adult-to-adult live donor liver transplant performed in Indiana. Tusing was released in a matter of weeks after surgery, but her brother has endured a much longer stay. Aarron's brother, Randy Busch, said today that Aarron's been out of the hospital for only approximately two weeks since the original surgery in July, and has been confined to a hospital bed going in and out of consciousness because of medications.

Purdue Experts Talk About Septic Systems

Most people don't think about their septic systems until they fail or give indications they intend to fail. Purdue University specialists Dr.Brad Lee and Dr.Don Jones talked about septic systems with about 40 people Monday. Lee, an assistant agronomy professor at Purdue, took a ground-level approach to septic system installation. "Land use planning all comes down to soil suitability," Lee said."Few people plan for their septic system first when building - they plan for the house, the well, the pool, the lake." At least 24 inches of an "aerobic" soil layer is required for a septic field.Brown in color, not chalky-looking, indicates the dirt is seasonally wet with iron distributed throughout.Bacteria in this soil attaches to and "eats" pathogens. "If there are red root channels, the soil is to wet.If it's chalky, calcium carbonate is present, indicating water is not moving through," Lee said.

Cahill Resigns

PIERCETON - Terry Cahill resigned his position as an officer of the Pierceton Police Department Tuesday. In a joint statement and press release approved by Cahill, the town and the PPD indicate all parties reached a mutually satisfactory resolution to disputes. Cahill tendered his resignation and plans to continue with his law enforcement career in another setting. Cahill did not attend a public hearing set for 12:30 p.m.Tuesday.The hearing did not officially begin until 1:45 p.m. The board approved a settlement and agreement and dismissed disciplinary proceedings. The joint statement was released and, with no other business, the board adjourned. Cahill was suspended without pay Aug.24.He was entitled to remain on the town's health insurance. The circumstances surrounding Cahill's suspension were never discussed by town or police officials. Council members Jerry Kreger, Robert Tenney and Mandy Espinosa agreed to have no further comment on the issue.

Good Samaritan Saves Christmas For Local Family

A local family's Christmas is likely a bit brighter thanks to the honesty of a Leesburg woman. Shirley Walgamuth said she never thought of keeping the money - more than $800 - when she found a purse Dec.13 in the Elder-Beerman parking lot in Warsaw.She tried without success to locate a telephone number for Cassandra Hancock of East Levi Lee Road, Warsaw, and even drove to the Hancock residence in an attempt to return the lost purse.However, nobody was at home and Walgamuth didn't want to just leave it on the doorstep. On Monday, Walgamuth contacted the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department and an officer was able to locate Hancock, who was quite grateful to get her purse back despite its condition from being run over by a car.

Explosion Damages Wastewater Plant At North Manchester

NORTH MANCHESTER - No one was injured when a building housing two solid waste digestors exploded Thursday afternoon at the sewer plant. Methane gas appears to be the cause of the explosion, public safety director Jack Fetrow said at the scene. No damage estimate was immediately available. Several rows of concrete block and brick on the backside of the building toppled forward.Shards of glass were blown 25 feet from the building.Paint cans and wound wire were undisturbed on the shelves next to the destroyed wall.The boiler was intact. The explosion left cracks throughout the building's outer wall. "I'm just glad nobody got hurt," Public works superintendent John Mugford said. The wastewater treatment plant crew was on break when the incident occurred. "It sounded like someone slammed a door," one employee said.The fiberglass garage door was mangled.

Salvation Army Continues Long Tradition Of Helping Those In Need

Ringing bells are a common sound during the Christmas season. They often can be heard at local stores as people raising money for the Salvation Army ring bells by the red kettles for contributions.In turn, the Salvation Army uses the money to help needy families during the holidays and beyond.According to Ken Locke, of the Salvation Army, its goal this year is to raise $112,000. The bell ringers and red kettles are at Wal-Mart, Big K-Mart, both Owen's locations and Marsh.There are also 80 counter kettles in area businesses. Another way the organization helps children during Christmas is the Angel Tree program.Christmas trees are placed in four locations around the community.Children's names are put on decorations on the tree and people shop for them, both for clothes and toys.Of the 150 families in the Angel Tree program, there are approximately 230 children.The trees are at Big K-Mart, DePuy, Biomet and SPX in Pierceton.

Tire Dump Owner Baker Says He'll Cooperate With State

Owner of G&M tire dump is pledging cooperation as a state-mandated contractor steps in to begin the first phase of a massive cleanup. Indiana Department of Environmental Management announced this week that Dillon Tire Recycling of North Liberty would begin removing tires from a massive tire dump site next month as part of an $800,000 state-funded cleanup. Garry Baker, who tried for years to turn the corner with state cooperation in reducing the millions of tires, said Thursday he will do everything he can to help - even if it entails working side by side with the contractor. "I told the state I'd work with the contract 100 percent," he said. "Hopefully, maybe they'll hire me as a laborer and I can help speed up the process," he said.

Superintendent Stands By Decision On Webster Teacher

Dealing with charges of racism is never easy, as Wawasee superintendent Mark Stock has cause to know. Just five months into his term as Wawasee's superintendent he dealt with the uproar created by a Ku Klux Klan worksheet at Syracuse Elementary. Now, six months later, a teacher has retired from her post of 31 years as a result of a stereotypical remark made in her North Webster School classroom. Teachers are supporting Phyllis Roberts in a situation many say was mishandled.A representative from the Indiana State Teachers Association addressed concerns of more than 70 teachers Monday.Later in the week, teachers upset by the incident were reportedly showing their support for Roberts by wearing black armbands. But Stock stands by his decision.

Book Chronicles History Of Warsaw

Newcomers to any city learn their way around with a street tour. And that's how Michelle Bormet begins "A History of the City of Warsaw, Indiana," subtitled "Preserving the Past for the Future." Bormet, secretary to the mayors of Warsaw for the last 10 years, spent the better part of a year compiling the hardcover volume, published by the Kosciusko County Historical Society. That effort has resulted in a 17-chapter, 237-page book which begins with a settlement called Red Brush in 1834 and ends with Warsaw's 125th anniversary in 2000.The city was incorporated April 19, 1875, by a vote of 278 votes for and 200 against. It's a comprehensive overview of the city, a wonderful source of information for residents old and new.

Biomet, Miller Top Stories Of 2006

What can one person do? If that person is Dane Miller, one person can do enough to be the top local news story of 2006. To determine the top 10 stories of the year, front page news stories were reviewed and then voted on by the Times-Union news and sports staffs. Sharing top news story honors this year are Biomet Inc.and its former President, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Dane Miller. Warsaw-based Biomet is one of the world's leading orthopedic manufacturers. On March 27, the Biomet board of directors announced Miller's decision to retire and resign.Miller was to remain a director and serve as a consultant.The board appointed Senior Vice President Daniel P.Hann, the company's general counsel and a member of the board, to be president and CEO on an interim basis.

WCS Involves Community In Long-Range Planning

Involving the community in long-range planning for Warsaw Community Schools began Tuesday with the first meeting of the community-based planning project committees. Two committees of 25 members each met together Tuesday at Warsaw Community High School for an introduction to the upcoming process.Leading Tuesday's meeting were the two men who will chair both committees: Dr.Robert Boyd, a professor at Indiana State University; and Dr.John Ellis, superintendent of Noblesville schools. The purpose of the committees, Boyd said, is to analyze data, share information and consider the culture and aspirations of the community in setting goals for local schools.

Team's success unites community

SYRACUSE - Nothing binds a community together like adversity - except maybe success. Everyone has heard the story of the farmer who takes ill right before harvest.The farming community comes together to help and the crops are harvested in record time. Or the story of the severe storm that blows through town causing lots of damage.The townspeople all pitch in and the cleanup and rebuilding get done in a hurry. Just as tough times tend to unite people, success also knits a community together. That's why it's no surprise that the success of the Wawasee Warrior football team is uniting the Wawasee community. Everybody wants the team to continue its winning ways for one more game. The team plays for the state championship in Class 4A on Saturday in the RCA Dome against 12-2 Indianapolis Roncalli.

Kosciusko Votes For Loser In Gov., U.S. Rep. Races, Winners In Other State Races

Republicans won most of the Indiana state elections Tuesday with a couple of exceptions. Democrat Gov.Frank O'Bannon once again enjoyed victory with 57 percent of the votes overall.However, he only received about 40 percent of the votes in Kosciusko County compared to Republican challenger David McIntosh's 58 percent.Libertarian Andrew Horning received about 1 percent of all votes. O'Bannon was not available for comment Wednesday but his deputy press secretary, Jeff Harris, said, "The governor is extremely pleased with his victory.He will now focus on the next four years on the school improvement plan and the school readiness plan." Harris said some of O'Bannon's other big issues include a children's health insurance plan, a prescription drug plan, and keeping the economy strong and bringing more jobs into Indiana.

Teen Gets 30 Years

Steven Ray Bean will serve at least 15 years in prison for stabbing 28-year-old Vicky Elder 14 times Dec.11 in her Westhaven Estates home. Bean, 20, was sentenced Thursday in Kosciusko Superior Court to 30 years in prison for attempted murder, a Class A felony punishable by up to 50 years of incarceration.He was given 50 years in prison for a Class A felony offense of burglary, but Judge Robert Burner suspended the term for probation.Bean's probation was ordered served consecutively with the prison term.

Local Stores Alter Policy On Bell-Ringers

The Salvation Army bell- ringers are not to be seen this year in front of Owen's supermarkets or in Wal-Mart's foyer. Don't despair, though. Owen's has not forsaken the Salvation Army, and the bell-ringers are still allowed to collect outside in front of the Wal-Mart store. The local Warsaw stores aren't at fault.The decision to eliminate the bell-ringers from the Wal-Mart foyer was a corporate one, according to one of the managers. "I believe it's a similar situation with Owen's," said Salvation Army commanding officer Lt.Michael Schneider."I think they have a no-solicitation policy." Schneider admitted the Salvation Army may suffer a little this year because of the loss of the two Owen's locations.Last year the Salvation Army raised $7,000 from the two stores alone.However, Owen's has other plans.

Notestine Resigns From Red Cross

Becky Notestine, executive director of the Kosciusko County chapter of the American Red Cross, has resigned.She said she plans to work closer to her home in Allen County. Notestine came to Kosciusko County in January 1993 as the marketing director for health and safety programs.She was appointed executive director in November 1993. Under Notestine's guidance, participation in Red Cross programs has grown more than 300 percent. She also has been active in the community as a member of the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce board of directors and as a member of the Morning Optimist Club.

Leesburg Robbery Suspect On Trial In Lafayette Court

SOUTH BEND - One of the two men allegedly involved in the Leesburg bank robbery six months ago is scheduled to stand trial beginning today. U.S.District Judge Allen Sharp moved the federal trial against Criss Duncan to Lafayette because of extensive publicity surrounding the case, the South Bend Tribune reported in today's edition. The trial is expected to last at least a week. In October, additional charges were filed against Duncan less than two weeks before a previously scheduled trial date.The new charges accuse Duncan of being involved in another bank robbery in Middlebury. The defense attorney was able to get Duncan a court order requiring the new charges to be tried separately from the Leesburg robbery charges. Concerns about Duncan's haircut on Oct.21, the date of his trial, caused Sharp to reset the trial date and to send four dozen prospective jurors home.

INS Bust: Raid at Syracuse firm nets 28 illegal aliens

Syracuse - Twenty-eight employees of Rinker Boat Company were removed by immigration officials for alleged illegal employment Thursday morning. The raid by the Immigration and Naturalization Service began about 8 a.m. Of the 35 or so employees rounded up, seven were able to provide identification and were back at work today, said company controller John Peat. The suspected illegal workers were taken to the National Guard Armory in Elkhart and then the South Bend airport.They were flown to San Antonio, Texas, where they were likely deported, Peat said. A spokesman for INS was not available, but a press statement from the department said 28 workers, including two women, were taken away. The statement said the agency has no evidence the company had been acting improperly. "They came in with about 35 officers, surrounded the place and then went through and collected employees," said company controller John Peat.